The newly established DFG International Research Training Group (GRK 2803) Scalable 2D- Materials Architectures (2D-MATURE): Synthesis and Processing, Characterization and Functionality, Implementation and Demonstration is starting in October 2022. This program is an international collaboration between the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) / RWTH Aachen University (RWTH, both in Germany) and the University of Waterloo (UW, Canada). Part of the international qualification within the 2D-MATURE is a 6–8 month research stay in Canada.
The research focus of 2D-MATURE is on development of scalable synthesis and processing routes for 2D materials, understanding interface-controlled functionality in realistic architectures, and demonstration of showcase applications, like light emitters, light sensors, supercapacitors, and batteries. Research and training tasks will be carried out by a collaborative and interdisciplinary team from electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering, as well as physics and chemistry, with the intention to bring promising new 2D materials out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.

2D-MATURE invites applications for
PhD candidates / research associates (m/f/d) (E13 TV-L)
in the research areas of
• synthesis and processing of scalable 2D materials;
• analysis and modelling of their functionality (see below!) in realistic architectures; and
• implementation of these materials in optoelectronic and energy storage devices.

We offer
- opportunity to conduct high-level, interdisciplinary research in a stimulating environment
- international exchange
- interdisciplinary, international, and intersectorial training
- regular supervision and mentoring

Your profile
- you are a talented and enthusiastic candidate with high interest in the research topic of 2D- MATURE
- you have abilities for problem-solving and independent work
- your previous professional history fits to the research tasks of 2D-MATURE
- your (expected) Master's degree has very good marks in a relevant subject area

Contract will start: October, 1st, 2022
Contract will end: March, 31st, 2026
Working hours: 100 percent of a full position
Application deadline: 29.07.2022
Interested candidates should fill in the application form available at http://www.2d-mature.de and send it together with a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a copy of all university degrees and other certificates in a single pdf-file to [email protected]. Please mention in your application which projects and principal investigators provide the best match with your background and interest. For more detailed information on the program and the application procedure please refer to http://www.2d- mature.de.
One of the offered positions, as part of subproject P5, will be concerned with first-principles calculations of electronic structure guided by Prof. Dr. P. Kratzer. The electronic structure of defects in two-dimensional materials shall be calculated with modern methods, such as density functional theory plus corrections from the GW method. In this way, the influence of the substrate and/or embedding material (due to dielectric screening) on the defect levels in the 2D material will be analyzed. The results will be compared to measurements by time-resolved photoluminescence carried out by our partner, Prof. German Sciaini, at Waterloo.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the spokespersons for any questions: Prof. Dr. Gerd Bacher (UDE, [email protected]) and Prof. Dr. Michael Pope (UW, [email protected]).

The participating institutions view equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and are committed to accessibility for all students and employees (www.uni-due.de/diversity/). All candidates will be considered, although applications are particularly encouraged from women and under-represented groups. In accordance with German state equality legislation, women with equal qualifications will be given priority. People with disabilities are also encouraged to apply (see Section 2 Paragraph 3 of the German Social Code, SGB IX.)